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“You’re alive!” Kelsey said, beaming as Megan appeared at her elbow. She wore their company’s customary navy with her hair in a chic knot at her neck, as always looking like she came off a runway. Clients loved that about Kelsey. So did the women she enchanted.

“Barely. Extra kegs are here. Seems you have this one running smoothly.”

Kelsey waved off the comment. “These guys are not hard. So in love with each other that it’s all they’re focused on. They barely batted an eye about the missing kegs.”

Megan touched her heart. “These are the weddings that made me want to go into business in the first place, the ones that celebrate the purity of love.”

“Said only the way someone in love could articulate.” Megan let that one go as they watched the dance floor. The groomsmen strutted around in sunglasses to “Macho Man.” Very few straight weddings ended without this very scene taking place.

“What if I am in love?” Megan blurted. God, why had she donethat? Putting it into the ether was the last thing she needed, yet she was so stressed, barely sleeping the last two nights, it was as if the words had taken over and burst forth from all the pressure.

Kelsey swiveled. “You are. I was just waiting for you to catch up.” She beamed, clearly proud of herself.

Megan shook her head. “Ever feel like you’re walking into oncoming traffic?”

“Who, me? Daily. It’s what I live for. You, on the other hand, prefer to play it safe on the curb.”

She faced Kelsey. “She’s hanging out with Brent again. Isn’t that step one before getting back together?”

“She is?” Kelsey frowned, examining the details. “I don’t think it has to mean anything. Maybe they’re working on staying friends.”

“That’s what she says.”

“There you go. So stop it. I’ve seen the way she looks at you when you walk in the room. That’s not a fluke. It’s not a fling. It’s real.” She sliced through the air with her hand. “I’ve spoken.”

“She’s seeing that newfriendagain this weekend. The same friend who’s rich and powerful and can give her family everything they need to keep their lives afloat. Did I mention he desperately wants her back?”

“Did I mention that it’s youshewants? I think her feelings count for a little more in this scenario, don’t you think?”

“She said she’s falling in love with me.”

“Then take her at her word. She’s a grown-up, and from what I’ve seen, a smart one.” Just then, the hotel’s coordinator signaled Kelsey, and she was off. “And stop thinking about it. Know your worth and stand tall.”

As Kelsey departed, Megan found herself literally doing just that. She was Megan Kinkaid, she reminded herself, and Carmichael or not, she had a lot to offer. And on that note, maybe it was time she started offering more, being honest with herself and Allison about her feelings. Just the thought had her heart thudding at an uncomfortable pace. Why was she so bad at this? But she needed to face that fear if she wanted to hold on to the kind of happiness that she’d never imagined. Oncoming traffic, indeed.

* * *

Allison rested her chin in her hand as she listened. Brent was talking a mile a minute about the first-quarter sales report that saw his stores spiking. “It’s just a relief to know that plans I put into place are actually flourishing. My region is on top.”

She popped a fry. “Why is that? The surprise and relief. You’ve grown up around these stores and know them better than anyone. Of course you’re capable of elevating them.”

“Thank you.” He grinned at the compliment. “The loyalty program alone has paid off in spades. Not even Dalton can argue that point, and he was against the idea.”

She popped a fry. They’d met up at Harley’s diner again, which felt neutral and fitting. This time for lunch. Maybe it would be their new postbreakup location, which she was fine with because they had excellent BLTs. “Well, I’m thrilled for you, especially since it’s in Dalton’s face.”

“Well, you may not remember this, but it was you who encouraged me to think bigger, outside the box, when it came to initiatives at work.”

She grinned. “Did I? Go me.”

“Mm-hmm. You were always a great cheerleader and a source of great advice. I miss it.”

She felt the corners of her mouth relax out of the smile. She didn’t know what to say to that. This was a delicate situation, and she wasn’t fully equipped. Sure, she missed him back, but not in the same way. She missed the familiarity of their life, the ease of how they were around each other, but she could now clearly see the difference inhappyversusfine. “Well, toss me a nickel. I’m full of busybody opinions about any and all jobs.”

He laughed. “Fair enough. Holding you to it.” He set down his huge burger. “So, how’s Megan these days? Look how mature I’m being.”

This was a step forward for him, acknowledging her relationship. Maybe there really was hope. “Color me impressed. She’s great. Busy. This weekend is killer for her. They’re actually overbooked, so all hands on deck.”

“She hate me?”